FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order to appear before the House and brief members on the status of Bills passed by the Tenth Assembly.
The resolution was reached during the plenary session held on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer. He recalled that at the inauguration of the Tenth Benue State House of Assembly on 5th June, 2023, members demonstrated strong commitment to their legislative responsibilities, with a clear focus on enacting laws for the good governance of the state.
Hon. Tiseer further noted that in June 2024, the House diligently scrutinized and passed ten (10) Bills, which were subsequently transmitted to His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for assent.
He expressed concern that by the end of 2024, the House had no clarity on how many of the Bills were assented to or gazetted. Despite transmitting two letters to the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice between December 2024 and June 2025, requesting submission of the status of the Bills, there has been no response.
Hon. Tiseer lamented that this lack of feedback is affecting the morale of lawmakers, who are becoming increasingly discouraged by the continued silence and inaction.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Pharmacist Thomas Dugeri emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution mandates that if the Governor withholds assent on any Bill, he must communicate the reasons to the House within 30 days. He stressed that the House has not received any such communication and described the refusal to assent or provide feedback as a constitutional breach, which could amount to an impeachable offence.
Following deliberations, the House resolved that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order must appear before the Assembly during its plenary session on Tuesday, 29th July 2025. He is to present the list of assented and non-assented Bills and explain why he failed to respond to the Assembly’s letters on two separate occasions.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center
Federal Information Center, Makurdi
